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Chapter Sixteen

Pretty Tied Up

Erin

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THE WALLS OF MY WORLDfolded in around me. I couldn’t think, couldn’t believe what was happening, yet the ungainly way I was stretched over him and the final strike he landed reminded me that my very lurid humiliationwasreal.

Despite my fogging head, though, and the shock reverberating around my body, the heat between my legs was every bit as tangible as the pain. Utterly chastened I might have been, but the hot need emanating from my core seemed even more intolerable.

It was awful enough to be treated that way—to be ‘punished’ by the brute who was supposed to be looking after me—but discovering the spanking he’d subjected me to had actually turned me on was a bridge too far. Even though I acknowledged the actualities of my predicament, my head was unwilling to join the dots. I knew I was horny at the cringeworthy treatment, knew that if I swept a finger to my pussy, I’d enjoy the proof for myself, but I couldn’t understand it. Intensifying my woe was the knowledge that he’d taken me so close to the edge of hedonism, only to leave me hanging.

Bastard.

“Your spanking is over.” He pressed his palm on my sore flesh as though he was waiting for a reply.

What the hell was I supposed to say?

If he wanted gratitude for the humbling ordeal he’d put me through, as far as I was concerned, I’d offered him more than enough already.

“Up you get.”

His words suggested a reprieve, but the idea of getting back to my feet and having to meet his eyes was no more appealing. Unwilling to risk the possibility of yet more so-called punishment, though, I moved, and with the help of his left hand, I eased to my knees.

Head falling, my gaze flitted to the hard wood floor. Wood had become my entire world since he’d broken us into the cabin—it comprised the walls, the roof, and the floor, as well as being the one source of heat in the space—but it had rarely been as soothing as it was then.

“Up, Erin.”

He rose to his full height, looming over me as he thrust a hand in my direction. I noticed it in my peripheral vision, eyeing the hand accusingly. That same palm had spanked me, lighting a fire he apparently wasn’t prepared to extinguish. It was both punisher and tormentor.

To spite me.My eyes closed briefly at the grim thought.He’s doing it in retaliation for last night.

Heaving in air, I realized there was no choice but to obey. Non-compliance chanced another spell over his thighs, and I wasn’t prepared to take that risk. I didn’t know how to rationalize what had just taken place, but I sure as hell wasn’t prepared to empower him for round two.

Rising on shaky legs, I let go of his hand to drag my leggings up and over my spanked backside. Covering myself seemed pivotal. I’d stand if I had to, but I wasn’t ready to meet his conceited gaze while I was still bared.

“I don’t think so, little girl.” That same hand I’d learned to loathe moved to halt my hand’s progress, holding my waistband at my thighs. “Your clothes stay where they are.”

“What?” I glanced up reflexively, the fury festering inside me overcoming the weight of my shame. “You can’t be serious.”

The way his dark eyebrow slowly arched sent dread ricocheting through me.

Oh, God.My hand fell to my side.What have I done?

There were no logical reasons why I shouldn’t cover myself. I should never have been bared in the first place, but in the short time we’d been stuck together, he’d managed to condition me to dread the gesture.

“Do you want to rephrase that, Erin?” His tone was irritatingly calm.

“Why can’t I cover myself, sir?” Why did I even have to ask? I was a grown woman, and I deserved dignity and respect. “You said my spanking is over.”

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